1916: cross-curricular approaches to the Easter Rising & the Western Front

Events in 1916 underline the importance of including Ireland in the curriculum in Britain. They highlight the complex loyalties and values underpinning the United Kingdom while the richness of responses to the choice between fighting with or against Britain demonstrates how Ireland enriches the curriculum. For links to more resources, please go to http://iisresource.org/1916.aspx.

1916: cross-curricular approaches to the Easter Rising & the Western Front

For links to further resources, please go to http://iisresource.org.1916.aspx
Events in 1916 underline the importance of including Ireland in the curriculum in Britain.

A cruel choice
First, the Easter Rising and events on the Western Front highlighted the complex loyalties and shared values underpinning the United Kingdom, raising the question: Why did some Irish men and women fight against the British army, appealing for German aid, during the Easter Rising in Ireland, while other Irishmen joined the British army to fight against Germany? Secondly, the richness and quality of responses to this choice demonstrate just how much Ireland makes learning not only enjoyable and challenging but also accessible to all.

A cross-curricular approach to exploring the 'cruel choice'
through classical art

The Birth of the Republic by Walter Paget, 1916, an artist’s impression of the scene inside the General Post Office, Dublin, at the height of the Easter Rising, just before the surrender. through popular art - murals

The Attack by the 36th (Ulster) Division, Somme, 1st July 1916 by James Prinsep Beadle, 1917, commemorating the heavy losses suffered by the Division.

Republican mural, Whiterock Road, Belfast, 1991 ‘Éirí amach na casca 1916-1991' (Easter Rising), marking the 75th anniversary of the, with portraits of signatories of the Proclamation of Independence, and phoenix rising from the flames and sunburst.

The traumatic experience of 1916 is told through the eyes of two young people from very different backgrounds, Jimmy Conway, aged 12, and Amelia Pim, aged 15. In The Guns of Easter, Jimmy's father, James Conway, aged 30, (Da), joins the British Army and is fighting in World War I. His uncle, on his mother’s side, Mick Healy is 21 and takes part in the Easter Rising. In No Peace for Amelia, her boyfriend, Frederick Goodbody, joins the British Army, although a Quaker. Her friend (and cook-general to the Pim household) is Mary Ann Maloney, aged 16. Mary Ann’s older brother, Patrick Maloney, seeks Mary Ann's help when he becomes involved in the Easter Rising.

through poetry He shall not hear the bittern cry In the wild sky, where he is lain 'Thomas McDonagh' (Executed in 1916; translated a classic Gaelic Irish poem 'The Yellow Bittern'.) Thomas Ledwidge (1891-1917)

Now and in time to be Wherever green is worn, Are changed, changed utterly, A terrible beauty is born. And now I'm drinking wine in France, The helpless child of circumstance. Tomorrow will be loud for war, How will I be accounted for? ... A keen-edged sword, a soldier's heart, Is greater than a poet's art. And greater than a poet's fame A little grave that has no name through contemporary documents Ireland is not at war with Germany. England is at war with Germany. We are Irish nationalists and the only duty we can have is to stand for Ireland’s interest. Arthur Griffith, Sinn Fein leader, 1914

‘Easter 1916’ W.B. Yeats (1865-1839)

‘Soliloquy’ Thomas Ledwidge (1891-1917)

I heard a Catholic priest preaching about how little Catholic Belgium had been attacked by Germany and was suffering. I joined the British Army after that. John O’Reilly, a bank clerk in Co. Cavan, aged 18 when the war started.

through contemporary propaganda

Sinn Fein poster anti-recruiting poster through song Ah, what is all the fuss about, Says the grand aul’ dame Britannia, Is it us you’re trying to live without, Says the grand aul’ dame Britannia. Oh, don’t believe those Sinn Fein lies, For every Gael for England dies, Will enjoy ‘Home Rule’ ’neath the Irish skies, Says the grand aul’ dame Britannia. Let me tell you a story of honour and glory Of a young Belfast soldier Billy McFadzean by name For King and for Country Young Billy died bravely And won the VC on the fields of the Somme. As down the glen one Easter morn Through a city fair rode I. There armed lines of marching men, In squadrons did pass me by. No pipe did hum, no battle drum, Did sound out its loud tattoo. But the angelus bell o’er the Liffey’s swell, Rang out through the foggy dew. through monuments

Army recruiting poster

'The Grand Aul’ Dame Britannia' World War I anti-enlistment song, written by Sean O’Casey in 1916 'Billy McFadzean' Anonymous from Orange Jukebox, ‘Lest We Forget’. Billy, a twenty-year-old Belfast man, was awarded the VC posthumously for heroism on the first day of the Battle of the Somme

'The Foggy Dew' Written in 1919 by a member of the First Dáil moved by the absence of members'locked up by the foreigner'